Kerry speaks to Karzai

US Secretary of State John Kerry today spoke over phone with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai to emphasize his country's strong support to the ongoing reconciliation talks, his spokesperson said.

"The Secretary emphasized the US' ongoing strong support for a stable and secure Afghanistan, and he reaffirmed our commitment to reconciliation and the role of the Afghan High Peace Council, underscoring our commitment to support Afghans' aspirations for free, fair and inclusive elections in 2014 as well," State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said.

The two leaders among other things discussed the progress US and Afghan negotiators are making in the Bilateral Security Agreement negotiations.

"The Secretary closed by underscoring how much he looked forward to working closely with President Karzai as our countries continue to build an enduring partnership through the transition and beyond," she said.

This was the first phone call between the two leaders after Kerry joined the State Department this Monday as the Secretary of State.

Nuland said Kerry has not spoken with his Pakistani counterpart yet, but would soon be talking with her.